A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Balam family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 6339 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
billetThe sealed letter, and a message delivered
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De gu. au lion d'arg.; au chef d'azur, ch. de trois bill. du sec.”
BretagneBretagne, c. 1663
Where the Balam Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Balam arms are recorded
The Balam arms were recorded in Bretagne, c. 1663.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Balam arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Bretagne.
Origin & History of the Balam Family in France
The family name Balam has deep roots in the Brittany region of France, where records confirm members of the family were established by 1663. During this period, the name was closely tied to the social and agricultural life of the province. Families in this area often lived in small, tight-knit rural communities where they worked the land or engaged in local trade. Because Brittany maintained a distinct cultural identity separate from the rest of France, families like the Balams often held onto unique naming traditions and regional customs. Over time, the family likely moved between different parishes as they sought new opportunities for farming or commerce. Their presence in the seventeenth-century records serves as a snapshot of a family navigating the challenges and changes of life in western France during the reign of King Louis XIV.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Sa. on a fesse betw. three etoiles ar. as many pellets”
NorfolkWalstoken · Norfolk, c. 1620
Where the Balam Arms Were Recorded
Norfolk
Map of England showing where the Balam arms are recorded
The Balam arms were recorded in Norfolk, c. 1620.
Norfolk grew rich on wool and grain, and its wealth was spread among many middling families rather than a few great ones. Households of that kind bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in France when the Balam arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Norfolk.
Origin & History of the Balam Family in England
The Balam family name has deep roots in the county of Norfolk, where members of the family were firmly established by the early seventeenth century. Historical records from 1620 confirm their presence in this region, particularly around the town of Walsoken. During this period, the family was recognized as part of the local landed gentry, often managing agricultural estates and participating in the administrative life of their parishes. The name itself likely originated as a topographical or locational identifier, reflecting the family’s long-standing connection to the specific landscapes of East Anglia. As the seventeenth century progressed, the Balams became increasingly involved in the social and political fabric of Norfolk, maintaining their status through land ownership and local influence. Their history serves as a window into the lives of provincial families who helped shape the rural economy and community structures of England during the Stuart era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Baal
A Semitic term meaning lord, master, or possessor.
This name
BalamA locative surname derived from place names in France referring to a lord or master.
also spelled
Ballam
Balamm
Balaam
Ballamm
Ballem
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1663
Poter, Jean-Yves, Histoire de la Bretagne, 1996
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur, Histoire de Bretagne, 1896
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
billetThe sealed letter, and a message delivered
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
billetThe sealed letter, and a message delivered
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
